The Photoblogger

NOTE: For the other contestants who are just looking for their pics, all the backstage pics are down there :p so just scroll all the way down. thank you

Before Talent Night I had to pick up Artemis from Gale. And so from then my relationship with Artemis began

Talent Night

And here comes talent night, having only practiced a day before you were still not sure how it would turn out. You and the rest of the candidates were expected to wear White tops then jeans on the bottom.

Rewind about a few hours ago. You met up with Gale from The Tech Hub because your baby Canon 7D has just arrived! Yep, take note of this date: December 4, 2010 a Canon 7D was born A day later you named her Artemis. The goddess who bore the spear that never missed. Since you could not check it out much and you were too much an OC who will always read the manual before actual use you had to make a run for it because the Talent Night was about to start.

I still can't believe you pulled it off. Look! It's Eden on top of the Korg

It was a scary thing really. When it was you and Liz’s turn you had to move the whole set up from the stage corner to the center. Thankfully there was help so it all turned out well. The only problem was they sort of got the whole major connection wrong so they (the technicians) USED A MICROPHONE TO CAPTURE THE AMPLIFIER’S SOUND!!!! Yes, and so the reputation for a pathetic sound system in the EMVM hall lives on. Is that place cursed!?

Despite the poor sound system you pushed through with your talent and you sang and played the piano to a medley you just learned the day before. The crowd was rather kind, despite only a very few number of people cheered for the College of Arts and Sciences. It was all very scary and it didn’t help that one of the country’s famous musicale director was one of the judges: Benjie Diola. You’re more a musicale fan and classics advocate so it’s still quite amazing why you chose these songs. Here are the songs you sung:

• Teenage dream
• Dynamite
• Telephone
• Just the Way you are
• 当你孤单你会想起谁

That was one pathetic performance, you really needed a lot more practice but sige nalang. At least you were done with it. When you went to the backstage you ranted, along with Axi, about how pathetic the sound system was. But after you’ve finished your ranting you basically gave up and just accepted that maybe you weren’t gonna make it to the top 4 in best in Talent.

To this I still cannot understand what in the world happened in that hall that made you even included in the Top 4. Divine intervention perhaps?

Practice before Pageant

The Safari Stage- we'll never forget that big hole of no return in the middle of the stage

Before the pageant you were all told to go to the actual venue of the pageant so you guys can do a blocking on the stage. The old SHS-B school gym. Boy did it bring back memories. The first four who came were supposed to have a free massage from Chai, still no update on this one, hopefully by the time you’ve finished reading this you already have had your massage along with Jon Philip, Leizl, and Axi.

Early birds

Trying to relax just a few hours before the actual pageant

At the backstage/dressing room

These girls just love posing

The Boys of Nursing

Even after the practice you had some time to enjoy a nice snack with John Miro and Bryann in Jollibee.

John Miro

I didn't know I was having a snack together with the Mr. velez 2010 :p

Unfortunately earlier that day you were informed that there was a mismatch of suits from Wendell Quisido so you decided to not get your suit at all and decided to purchase your own pair of slacks and use your brother’s suit. Wow, what a change of wardrobe choice just a few hours before the actual pageant.

Thankfully too, Willand was doing your make up so he also did some coaching on what to do and what not to do in pageants. Thank you again Willand for being my MUA, PA, and Coach for that night!

Pageant Night

And so the production number started, be proud of yourself because you slaved over your costume the night before just so that you can save up in costs in having a costume made :p I know cramming is not good but gosh, you seem to be mastering it then

Lions roar

Lions roar

Gosh were you full of bloopers ) But nevertheless you were able to survive the whole production number.

The next round was the school uniform round. Good thinking on the “no ID no Entry” act.

Biologist carrying a book on birds

The next round after that was the formal wear. Another bloopers on that moment!! ) You had to run back to get your number and had no time to pin it to the suit so you just placed it in your pocket. Genius my boy, pure genius. (equivalent to an Adult  African Grey parrot)

Bahala na wala natarong ang number, smile lang gihapon

Lastly you had the question and answer portion. Among the 45 values that was in the bowl, you had to get TRUTH. Who can ever forget Sir Chok chok’s famous line: “Man is in constant search for truth.” Oh and please punch the next person who will say to you “OPEN YOUR EYES!” Even if speech is your forte, the stage can shake you up real bad.

Since you never got that ballroom dancing after two failed proms and grad ball, you decided to dance it out with Maybel, president of the Long hair society of Cebu. Sayang man gud ang suit and gown diba?

Finally the whole night was about to come to an end. They started having the awards and you won Mr. Congeniality along with Jonnie Wee as Ms. Congeniality.

From the College of Arts and Sciences!!

You also won 2nd Runner up (not bad for a first timer eh?) along with Alexandra Abello. First runner up were Winston Perez with Vivien Gajudo. It came to no surprise to all of us, Jonnie Wee and Bryann Enjambre for Mr. and Ms. Velez 2010!! Congrats to the winners, they truly deserve it.

Right after the whole thing the unboxing of Artemis began

Unboxing Baby Artemis

Conclusion

Initially it was all just a big experiment for you. You wanted to find out what it was like, the whole thing. You wanted to know what it meant to go through a pageant and what it would feel like right after.

Winning, though possible, was also a hesitant thought in your head because you didn’t know if you even qualified to represent your college. I guess this pageant has done you some good by building up more self confidence (drown those insecurities yeah!) and a strong motivational push to get that weight loss you’ve always wanted. I hope that as you’re reading this you haven’t packed up more weight.

Though winning was a wonderful feeling, it was more than just the sash and title. It was more of showing to the world that the College of Arts and Sciences is there and existing, that looks is not all that matters, there’s more to it than just looking handsome or beautiful.

The best part of the pageant? Friends. Getting to know all the candidates made the whole thing really worthwhile. You get to learn a lot of things from the different candidates and you can truly say you experience diversity at the same time unity. When you were in that pageant, deep in your heart, you look past all the broken apparatuses, broken electric fans and ready-to-collapse classroom.

….Because when all facilities fail, the Velezians Prevails!!!

Now normally I would love a story that would end happily ever after. But this tale is merely a beginning of a whole new you that will hopefully continue to grow and develop with the years to come. So to end this tale I would like to say:

“and they all lived very happily but another story was just about to begin…”

BACKSTAGE PICTURES:

Mr. Velez 2009

Nile Go: Mr. Velez 2009

Candid moment

Our tallest Candidate: Winston Perez!

President of the Long Haired Society of Cebu!

Si Idol-luis candid moment

Jon Philip, Knock on wood

Di ni cya candidate pero gwapa gihapon. Gwapa ug gwapo gyud mga taga velez noh?

Jon and Vivien

Sir Iggy!

Nile napud

Kim Alfred, a grade school classmate from Springdale

...aaaAAAAAAAAaaaaa... Waka waka

Ryan, one of the MC's

One of the MC's with a beautiful face and a beautiful voice

Mr. and Ms. Velez 2009

Michelle Tan: Ms. Velez 2009

Male Candidates, murag Bench Safari themed catwalk?

Winston in see-through leopard skin

Angel jon

Big smile juan, this guy did what I can't possibly do... walk on stage shirtless

Ladies and well, ladies, presenting: Bryann Enjambre!

Justine Just havin fun

Amazing Alexa!

Marvelous Maybel!

Charming Chad

Artistic Althea

Vivacious Vivien

Jon and the MC

Showtime in a few minutes

Both of the MCs quite calm before the show

You, make up by Willand Cuna

Dear self,

There are things in life that you might never want to forget and I kid you not, this is one of them. Oh and before you started writing this you just came from an NMAT exam (it’s a miracle how you made sure no blood came out of your nose) and you are also trying to forget the blasted Immuno-serology exam that was the only barrier between you and your Christmas break. You are writing this in the hope that in moments of trouble and deep depression you can recall those times that made you smile and say it was all worthwhile.

P.S. As of this moment you are also in a dilemma in choosing between Canon 400mm f/5.6L and Sigma 150-500mm. I hope you made the right decision after

Your SSC president for S.Y. 2010-2011. Gwapa noh?

This is a story of troubles, stress, hardship, friendship, adventure, discoveries, and of course, happiness. Oh, and this story is a story told to myself so please bear with the “you” addressing in the tale.

Once upon a time (yes, I am obliged to use the famous start-of-a-story line) you were a troubled student trying to fight your way through your, hopefully, last year of college in Velez College. Though your life in college was no perfect one, it was manageable enough for you to get by. One day you were called to the dean’s office for a certain concern about the upcoming Mr. and Ms. Velez 2010.

The pageant was only a few more weeks away and you still didn’t have candidates to represent your College. Of course there was someone for male category but the female category candidate: Liz, still needed some encouragement before she could join in. Thankfully Liz took in all her courage and gave a firm yes. Supposedly Rhomer was to join the male category but he backed out leaving no one left to represent. The Dean decided to let you join.

Note that a couple of years back you and Carol “Partz” Montecalvo joked around and did catwalk on the ramp for the Ms. Velez 2008. You kidded amongst yourselves that it just might happen. A year after Carol represented for Medtech.

Side view of our SSC president

So what did you say? You, without hesitation, said yes. What the hell were you thinking?! But I guess it’s one of those crazy things you do before you end your last year in College. Thankfully it’s nothing crazier than that.

Casey and Reg, pagpuyo intawn :p

With just a few weeks before the actual pageant you were given a 5Kphp budget to pay for all the expenses between you and Liz. Now in a department of 30+ students you don’t get much money so you two had to make the most of what you had. Fortunately you inherited Dad’s money-saving characteristics.

Oh, and you also weighed 82kilograms (and I’m hoping as you are reading you are at least 10 kilograms away from the aforementioned weight). So you started running for your life. You changed your diet immediately. Gosh you never ate so much salad in your life! You lost 5 kilograms in 2 weeks.

Mga Medtechs

You and Liz were supposed to come up with a forest themed costume but little did you know that something else was going to happen.

Photo shoot

Okay, so you’ve been the one shooting other people for the past 7 years (from time of writing) so it’s actually something new to be the subject instead of the photographer.

You were sort of pissed as hell because of the hot hot environment! You were sweating and you could almost feel the layer of make up shed off from your face to be replaced by a thick barrier of reflecting oil. T_T

Sikata gyud ni Casey sa imoh blog noh?

You and Liz had your shot in the locker area. Note that you do not know how to do those spur-of-the-moment poses. You suck.

The next photo shoot was a little better. It was in the Exposure Photography Studio in SM and you were rather prepared. Thankfully Rhomer, Kevin, Lyn and Leslie were there to give you and Liz moral support. Also thankfully the headshots from the studio were also useful for your NMAT form.

Gwapa ni cya pero wala mu apil sa pageant ai

You got to shoot around people but you’re consistently reminded how you really need a new camera to replace your 5 year old faithful 400D.

More pictures from the shoot:

Gwapa ni cya pero pagbantay, isog ni cya, makigaikido ni ninyo

Model ni cya bai!

Maybel, president of the Long Haired Society of Cebu

Beautiful person but also creates beautiful paintings

The Mr. Velez 2010

Liz Ruela, partner nako!

Kung wa pa mo napul-an sa iya nawng, si Maybel napud! :p

Si Cryil ai, wa ko ka kuha ni Tina this time T__T

Jon Philip Lim, model pud ni bai

si Juan, cool kaayo ug name, Gustavo

Jonnie Wee, smart, beautiful, independent and God-fearing

Si Idol Luis! isog ug nawng pero super buotan diay

First day of Practice

Come first day of practice, you were super early and the actual practice 2 hours late. After which you finally met the organizer: Mam Chai, and also the choreographer: Sir Doms.

Si Sir Doms nagpacute

Me with Mam Chai

You sucked in your dance steps and I tell you, you really have two left feet. It’s a wonder how you managed to avoid stepping your partner to death.

ako duha ka gwapa na amiga

I guess it was in the practice that you started to know all the other candidates. With 4 Medtech Candidate pairs, 3Nursing Candidate pairs, 2Pt/OT candidate pairs, and 1 pair of Biologists, this was indeed going to be an interesting competition.

You had your initial biases and stereotypical labels of the different colleges, especially those you were not familiar with but later did you know there was more to what meets the eye.

Si Idol Luis napud, putia gyud nimoh bai oi, pwede pa skin transplant para muputi pud ko?

Next Days of Practice

Not everyone was ready for the actual Talent Night and you especially were not ready at all. You guys practiced for another round and even if you were still not ready you just crossed your fingers and made a go for it.

Thankfully you had Bonnie to do a critique filled with Candor Yes, you were too fast in your practice because you were nervous as hell!

Now here’s the part of the story were you experienced a good deal of hardship:

You had to transfer the Korg Triton Keyboard with hardshell case, Roland Amplifier, Keyboard-dual stand, mic stand and all the wires ALL BY YOURSELF from the office to EMVM hall. Thankfully you managed it all in 40 minutes.

What you were initially planning for the talent night was going to be some kind of performance with a musical but Liz had to use the piano so you had to change your performance to fit you two.

With only a practice from the day before you learned a medley of modern songs which you were supposed to perform for the Talent Night.

To be continued….

Good friends on a good day

I have to admit for quite some time I was still in denial of the fact that I’ve left the teenage life and entered a new world of adulthood (although this is what others claim to be a transitional phase before I turn 21). I’ve delayed this post for some time because I was never really a big fan of my own birthday, in fact, I despised it.

My birthdays are usually filled with disappointment and misfortunes despite all the well wishers but that’s not why I’m writing this. I’m writing this because I’m thankful. Read the rest of this entry »